LISBON, Portugal - Statue of King Joseph I (1714-1777) by sculptor Joaquim Machado de Castro. It stands in the middle of the Praça do Comércio. Known as Commerce Square in English, Praça do Comércio is an historic square in the Pombaline Downtown district of Lisbon, next to the Tagus River.
The statue of King Joseph I in Lisbon, Portugal, is a prominent landmark in the heart of the city's main square, Praça do Comércio. The monument is the creation of Joaquim Machado de Castro, one of Portugal's most celebrated sculptors of the 18th century. King Joseph I, who reigned from 1750 to 1777, is depicted on horseback in the statue. The monument was commissioned as part of the rebuilding and beautification of Lisbon following the devastating earthquake of 1755. The unveiling of the statue in 1775 symbolized the city's recovery and resilience. The statue stands on a large pedestal adorned with allegorical figures and elaborate reliefs, enhancing its prominence in the square. The sculptural group represents Victory, with two figures symbolizing defeated enemies. The pedestal also bears the royal coat of arms, adding to the monument's regal aura. Joaquim Machado de Castro, the sculptor, was the leading figure in Portuguese sculpture during the second half of the 18th century. His work is characterized by its baroque and rococo influences, and the statue of King Joseph I is considered one of his finest works. Praça do Comércio, also known as Commerce Square, is one of the most significant squares in Lisbon. It was completely remodeled as part of the reconstruction of the city after the 1755 earthquake, under the direction of the Marquis of Pombal, who was the Prime Minister during King Joseph's reign. Today, the statue of King Joseph I stands as a testament to Lisbon's historical resilience and to the artistic prowess of Joaquim Machado de Castro. It continues to serve as a focal point in the city's bustling Praça do Comércio, attracting both locals and tourists alike.
Size: 6706px × 4476px
Location: Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: area, art, baixa, castro, comercio, commerce, de, district, dom, downtown, dusk, equestrian, erreiro, europe, full, joaquim, jose, joseph, josé, king, lisboa, lisbon, machado, metropolitan, monument, monuments, moon, municipality, município, palace, paç, photo, pombalina, pombaline, portugal, portuguese, praca, praç, sculptures, silhouette, sky, square, statue, town, travel, yard, ércio
